Sheet delivering and printing mechanism



Aug. 6, 194.

H. E. SEELEY 3 SHEET DELIVERING AND PRINTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug, 1946. H. E. SEELEY SHEET DELIVERING AND PRINTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fzwvenfor Ha/FRY f. JZELEY 'Aug.6,1946. H, E ELE I 2,405,3?73

SHEET DELIVERING AND PRINTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 5 1 5 60 7 IN u Q 5 a e I #8 59 46 g & 62 d5 62 6/ 8 2/ 68 v a I l nvenfm;

HARRY J'EELEY Aug; 6, 1946. I H. E SEELEY 2,405,373

SHEET DELIVERING AND PRINTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4' luau 10 Equal: ll CINJPS ,b mm

Patented Aug. 6, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET DELIVERING AND PRINTING Harry Eps e eley, Niagara Falls,-N. -Y., assignor to Moore Business Forms, Inc., acorporation of Delaware originalapplication May 21, 1940, Serial No. 336,413. Divided and this'application-"Dceni her 9, 194a, Serial No. 468,387

C a m 1 The invention herein disclosed and claimed is fully disclosed inapplicants prior copending application, Serial No. 336,413 for Unit feed printing machine, filed May 21, 1940, Patent No.

2,331,351, issued October 12, 1943;: Therefore, the

present application is a division of that earlier fi ed. a This invention relates to improvements in machines for operating upon long continuous strips of paper and like material, and intended to be divided into units of substantiallyequal length and to receive printed data and having blank spaces or blank forms for receiving the same. More particularly in some of its aspects the invention relates to improvements in machines for feeding the record strips and for severing them into unit lengths or checks and delivering the latter sequentially to an impression cylinder and holding them in position thereon during the application of certain printed data, such as the signature, date, and numbers ordinarily appliedto checks, drafts, and the'like.

The general object of this invention is to provide for machines of the class mentioned, an improved feeding. and delivering mechanism functioning for separatirm units from a contin uous strip of paper or like material and delivering the units one after another into position upon a rotary carrier or cylinder on which they may receive printed impressions.

A further objectis to provide an improved aux iliary feeding and delivering mechanism for the severed units or checks, embodying a simple quick acting unit delivery. having an 'impositive frictional feeding engagement with the units so as to slide idly over the units when held by the gripping device, but to automatically feed them forwardly for delivery to the rotary printing cylinder immediately upon release of the .unit gripping device. i i

A further object is 'to provide in machines of the class mentioned an improved auxiliary strip feeding or strip delivery mechanism operating in coordination with the breaker mechanism to deliver the units or checks quickly and easily as soon as they are released from the breaker mechanism.

Another object is to provide an improved strip gripping and holding mechanism for holding the 1 units or checks in impression receiving position upon-an impression cylinder and operating in coordination with the delivery mechanism for receiving the units delivered by the latter.

Anotherobject is to provide an improved-arrangement for the printing elements operating 2c inconjunction with the impression cylinder for applying, the printed data to the blanks or checks that are grippedand retained in impression receiving position upon the cylinder.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part pointed-out in the following detailed descriptionof an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obviousas the disclosure proceeds.

The-invention accordingly comprises the featureso f constr uction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the'construction hereinafter set forth and thescope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims. a

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention reference is inade'to the following detailed description and-to the accompanying drawings in which! "Fig; 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying-the invention; 7

Fig; 2' is a similar'view of the Opposite side of the machinei Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine shown in "Figures land 2;"

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section showing parts'o'f the-mechanism in elevation, the section being-takenapproximately on the line ,4-.4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction ,of the arrows;

, Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken approximatelyon the line 5 .5 of Fig. Blocking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional and elevational view of the strip gripping and separating element and the mechanism for delivering the separated units or checks to the impression cylinder; c

Fig. 7 is a Iragmentary sectional view showing the strip breaker mechanism, the section being located substantially on the line l-l of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. Bis a fragmentary plan view-of parts positioned below the line 8-8 of lii'g. 4, the parts above this line being omitted; I

Fig. 9 is a-fragmenta ry sectional and elevational view of the auxiliary feeding or delivery mechanism, the section being located substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Prior to the detailed description of the illustrative embodiment it will be helpful to give a general outline of the various operating mechanisms and the functions thereof. These are outlined as iollows:

the strip with a step by step movement by unit or checklength intervals.

Just beyond the pin feed mechanism is the strip separator or breaker embodying a strip clamping device having two closely spaced gripper bars actuated intermittently to grip the strips at opposite sides of the transverse weakened lines thereof upon the halt or cessation ,of stripadvancement by the feed mechanism. The stripis', thus held in its gripped position during the separation or breaking along the weakened lines thereof. A unit separator or .breaker blade moves between the clamping bars in substantial alignment with the weakened lines of the strip. The breaker is notclaimed per se herein but is particularly claimed in the prior copending parent application above identified.

7 After the breaking of the check or unit from the strip along the weakened line, an auxiliary feed or delivery mechanism becomes operative immediately upon release of the gripper to advance and deliver the check into position for subsequent processing, as upon an impression cylinder. The cylinder .is provided with gripping mechanism operated synchronously with the delivery mechanism so a to grip the check in position upon the cylinder to retain it in impression receiving position thereon. Although the impression cylinder rotates continuously the gripping mechanism thereon is operated in timed sequence or synchronism with the intermittent delivery of the units or checks by the delivery mechanism. Rotation of the impression cylinder brings the checks held in impression position thereon into impression receiving relation with the printing mechanism for printing the signature, dates, numbers,

etc.

For a detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings. As there shown, the strip l as seen in Figs. 3 and 8 ordinarily embodies a long continuous strip of paper or similar material folded into a zigzag pack i B that may be conveniently supported as by a housing and protecting shelf I! attached to the frame of the machine. The strip shown is divided intounits of substantially equal length by transverseweakened severance lines IS, the weakening being by any well known means such, for example, as slitting, perforating and the like. These units in the illustrative embodiment are intended to be used for checks, drafts and, the like and may have the usual printed data thereon with spaces or blank forms for receiving additional data such as the signatures, dates, numbers, amounts, etc. A feed band l9 preferably integral with the strip, as shown, extends along one longitudinal margin of the strip and is provided with aseries ofpin feed apertures for cooperation with the feed pins of the feed mechanism. This feed band is separated from, the .body of the strip by a longitudinal weakened severance line 20 formed by slitting.

perforations, etc., thus providing for easy separation of the feed band after it has served its feeding function.

The operative mechanism of the machine is mounted in a suitable frame which, as shown, may include longitudinally disposed plates or frame 4 members 2| and 22 and mounting legs or pedestals 23 so that the machine can be mounted upon a floor or platform. Transverse frame members or tie rods 24 extend between the frame members 2! and 22 to support them firmly imposition.

The strip feeding mechanism, best shown in 7 detail in Figs. 3 and 4 embodies a unit or frame 25 supported on transverse bars or rods 26 mounted in machine frame; Feed sprockets 2T longitudinally spaced apart are mounted upon rotary shafts 28 running in bearings in the feed unit, one of these being a drive shaft for the feed mechanism.

Mounted upon the feed sprockets 21 is an endless flexible feed chain 29 carrying pin supporting brackets 30 on which the feed pins 3i are respectively mounted. As shown in Fig. 4 the brackets so are positioned to mount the feed pins at or below the pitch line of the chain 29, which is ordinarily constructed of a series of pivotally connected links. This arrangement of the feed pins functions to feed the strips accurately so as tobring the severance lines 2!! of the strip into definite positions for operation thereon as later brought out more clearly. Since the construction, operation and advantages of this feed mechanism are fully set forth in the Mabon Patent No. 2,171,003, issued August 29, 1939,'it is unnecessary to describe it further here, and reference is made to this patent for a full disclosure of the feed mechanism.

' The main drive shaft 32 of the machine extends transversely being rotatably mounted in hearings in the longitudinal side frame members 2! and 22. This drive shaft is driven in any convenient manner as by a driving motor 33 connected through a belt 34 to a pulley 35 fixed to the shaft. The various operating units including the strip feed mechanism, above described, are driven through connections to the main drive shaft;

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 4 the pin feed mechanism, above described, is driven intermittently for advancing the strip in a step by step movement. The mechanism is adjusted to advance the strip the length of one of the units or checks at each feeding interval or step. A transverse rotary shaft 36 driven by intermeshing gears 31 mounted respectively upon the drive shaft 32 and the shaft 36, carries a crank arm 38 connected by a rod or pitman 39 with a reciprocating driving arm 40. The pawl arm is mounted for rotary reciprocation upon a rotary shaft 4! and carries a driving pawl 42 pivotally connected gears 48, 49, 50, 5|, the gear 48 being attached to the shaft 4| and the driving pinion 51 to the drive shaft 28. The toothed gears 49 and 50 are idlers rotating as a unit upon a spindle or bearing attached to the frame 2i. Through these driving connections the pin feed mechanism is driven intermittently through action of the driving pawl 42 to feed the strip l5 intermittently in steps of equal length. In cases where it is desired to feed the strip in different step lengths, this may be iii- :15; AA, or I Positioned just beyond the feeding unit in the direction of strip feed is the strip breaker or separator unit indicated generally at 52 and operating in timed sequence with the feeding mechanism for separating the strip into units. This breaker unit, as best disclosed in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7. embodies a relatively heavy metallic cross bar or frame unit 53 extending transversely of the machine and securely attached to the frame plates 2| and 22. The cross bar 53 is formed at its upper edge with a flat bed 54 having it upper surface in alignment with the path of strip feed and forming a gripper bed upon which the strips are held during separation of the strip units. Reciprocating grippers or gripper bars 55 are mounted in opposing relation to the bed 55 so that the path of strip feed lies between the bed and the grippers. The two gripper bars 55 extend transversely of the machine and are preferably spaced apart slightly longitudinally of the strip path forming a pace or passageway for receiving the strip breaker or breaker blade 55. But the gripper bars are firmly connected together in a unit and may be integral with each other if desired, and their gripping surfaces are preferably faced with yielding material such as sheets of rubber as shown.

As best seen in Fig. '7, the gripper bars 55 are mounted for reciprocation upon the cross bar 53 by means of hollow sleeve rods 51 slidably mounted in bearings 58 in supporting formations at the opposite ends of the cross bar 53. These sleeve rods are firmly attached at their upper ends to the opposite ends of the gripper bars 55 so as to move as a unit therewith. At the lower ends, the sleeve rods 51 protrude from the cross bar 53 and are provided at their terminals with collars 59 secured thereto and functioning as operating elements. By means of these sleeve rods the gripper bars 55 are mounted for sliding reciprocation on the cross bar 53.

The breaker blade 56 is also mounted for sliding reciprocation upon the cross bar 53 but can move independently of the gripper bars 55. For this purpose reciprocating mounting rods 60 extend through the inner openings of the sleeve rods 51, which thus provide bearings for slidably mounting them. They extend at the lower ends beyond the sleeve rods where they are provided with operating connections including operating rollers 61 rotatably mounted upon cross pins 52 secured to the lower ends of the rods. The blade 56 is connected at its opposite ends to the upper ends of the operating rods 60. It will be noticed that the breaker blade 55 is positioned intermediate the gripping surfaces of the gripper bars 55, the purpose of which is later set forth.

For operating the gripper bars and breaker blade a cam mechanism is used. as best shown in Fig. 5, embodyinga disk cam 53 secured on the shaft 36 for rotation therewith. A .cam roller 64 engages the periphery of the cam 53 and is mounted upon an arm 65 affixed to a shaft 65 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the frame. Also, afiixed to the rotary shaft 56 is a pair of longitudinally spaced actuating arms 61 each having a bifurcated terminal 68 underlying the corresponding operating collar 59, and provided with opposing elongated slots 69 in its terminal branches for receiving the rollers 6| that are attached to the operating rods 60 for the breaker blade 55. The upper surface of each ene ize 25.2 225 8 is a a for controlling the operation of the gripper bars 55. The cam 53 has a flattened peripheral surface 63a cooperating with the roller 64 for effecting reciprocationof the actuating arm 61. A controlarm 10 is also fixed to the shaft 56 and a tensioned spiral spring 1! anchored to the frame is connected to the outer end of the arm 10 for controlling the operation of the cam driving mechanism. 7

Each of the sleeve rods 51 extends through a recess 12 formed in the frame unit'or crossbar 53, and secured in position upon the sleeve rod in each recess is a control collar 13 normally seated against one end of the recess. A'spiral compression spring 14 bears upon the upper surface of each collar 13 and at its opposite end against the upper wall of the recess 12, the springs being compressed to tend to urge the sleeve rods, together with the gripper bars 55, into strip gripping position. When the cam roller'fifl engages the circular surface of cam 63, as shown in Fig. 5, the breaker blade is raised through the actuating rods 53 and the actuating arms 61, while at the same time the bifurcated terminals 68 of the actuating arms engage the operating collars 59 of the sleeve rods to raise the grippers 55 to non-gripping position. During this operation the collars 13 in the recesses 12' are raised from their seats to compress the spiral springs 14. When the cam roller 64 engages the flattened surface 63a of the cam 63, the actuating arms '61 are retracted by operation of the springs 1 I, thus sliding the actuating rods downwardly in their mountings and adjusting thebreaker blade 56 into its downward operative position. During this movement, the bifurcated terminals 68 move away from the terminal collars 59 whereupon the compression springs 14, through the collars 13 and sleeve rods 51, move the gripper bars 55 into gripping position.

An auxiliary feed mechanism is positioned just beyond the breaker mechanism forcontinuingthe feed of the checks or units after they have been separated from the strip l5. 'As best shown in detail in Figs. l, 5, 6, 8 and 9, this auxiliary feed mechanism includes a continuously operating feed or pull roll 15 rotatably mounted in the frame and driven continuously by a spur gear 16 meshing with the toothed gear 31 mounted on the drive shaft 32. The feed roll 15 has an uninterrupted peripheral friction surface for its entire length extending in frictional en agement with the lower side of the units or checks |5a through an opening in a plate or table 11 attached to the forward edge of the gripper bed 54 and forming a smooth uninterrupted continuance of the latter.

Pressure rollers or trucks 18 are mounted upon a swinging'rotary shaft 19 rotatable in bearings carried by swinging arms 8!] attached to a supporting shaft or bar 8| suitably mounted for oscillatory rotation in the frame. An arm 82 is attachedto the shaft 8! and one or more control springs 83 are attached to the arm 82 to regulate the pressure of the rolls or trucks 18 upon the upper surface of the strip or checks. An adjusting device 84 is provided for adjusting the tension of the spring 83 so as to control the pressure of the truck rolls 18 against the strip. The truck rolls 18 are preferably faced with-friction material, such as rubber bands 85 or the like positioned to bear against the strip surface. It will be noticed that the feed roll 15 rotates p o Q of the correspondingcollar 59 an; uwnsg ULLUUIS flavancement- The tension of the trucks 18 is so adjusted that this constant pull of the feed roll.! is insuificient to sever or damage :the strip but functions to advance the separated units or checks I5a immediately upon release thereof by the grippers 55 following severance of the checks from the continuous strip by the blade 56. During the time that the units are held by the grippers the pressure rolls or trucks (8 do not rotate but continue to exert pressure upon the strip against the feed roll 75. The trucks and mountings therefor are light with little inertia and antifriction bearings are provided for mounting the same.

Positioned beyond the auxiliary feed mechanism is areceiving cylinder 86 to which the separated checks or units I511 are delivered by the auxiliary feed mechanism. This receiving shown in detail in Figs; 4, 5, 6 and 8. While the receiving cylinder 88 may be utilized for different purposes in processing the separated units or or yielding material, such as the sheet of rubber periphery of the cylinder in position for receiving the separated units as they are delivered by the auxiliary feeding mechanism.

Rotary gripper jaws 90 having gripping extensions 9| for engagement with the forward edges of the checks, are fixed to a supporting shaft 92 f D rotatably mounted in bearings provided in sup-- porting flanges or walls 93 formed in a recess 94 opening through the surface of the cylinder 85 in which the shaft 92 is disposed. As best seen in Fig. 6, the jaws 90 with the gripping against the forward edge of the bed 89 as they are delivered. thereto by the auxiliary feeding mechanism. It will be noted that the gripping extensions 9i of the gripper jaws 99 are so disposed relatively to the center of rotation of the mounting shaft 92 that they will be retracted peripherally of the impression cylinder from gripping position when the jaws are open to release the grip upon the strip. Similarly, when the jaws are closed into gripping position the gripping extensions 9| advance toward the edge of the strip and pass thereover into gripping position overlying the strip edge which is adjusted into this-position by means of the auxiliary feeding mechanism. When the grippers 90 have been rotated into releasing position, as seen inFigs. 4

and 5, the gripping extensions 9! have been retracted along the periphery of the cylinder so as not to overlie or interfere with the edge of the strip or unit as it is advanced into position to be gripped on the cylinder by the auxiliary feeding mechanism.

At one of its ends the gripper shaft 92 has an r vah v/auls mic pellpflery Of a cam 97 supported in stationary position upon the support 87 of the impression cylinder. This cam preferably includes two cam plates or disks 98.

and 99 that may be angularly adjustable with reference to each other so as to vary the gripping and releasing operations of the grippers 90. As seen in Fig. 6, the lobe Hill of the cam plate 98 cooperates with the arm 95 to open or release the gripping jaws at a definite period in the rotation of the impression cylinder 86, while the jaws are moved into gripping pos'itionby means of a tension spring [0| immediately upon passage of the roller I02 beyond the lobe I00. The cam lobe I02 of the cam plate99 is utilized for releasing the grip of the grippers upon the units at the time of unit ejection as later described.

While the separated checks or units [50, are gripped in impression receiving position upon the bed 89 of the impression cylinder 86, they are carried to receive their printed impressions past rotary printing units (03 and 104. rotatably mounted by shafts or supports I mounted in the frame. The printing units I03, I04 are driven by toothed gears "36 meshing with the gear 88 of the impression cylinder. While any desired data may be printed upon the units or checks, in the embodiment shown the rotary printing element I03 carries a signature plate 101 and a date plate I08. The signature and date plates may be of any desired construction and arrange.- ment and need not be described here in detail. The rotary printing unit I04 carries a numbering plate I09, also of any desired constructionand arrangement. As the check or unit l5a is carried on the bed of the impression cylinder, the signature, date and numbering plates are moved in synchronism and the impressions are printed on the check in appropriate spaces provided therefor. Inking mechanism embodying inking rolls 0 is mounted for applying ink to the surfaces of the printing plates. An ink carrying roll'l H deposits ink upon the surface of a vibrator roll H2 from which it is transferred to the inking rolls H0 and thence to the printing plates. This inking mechanism may be of any desiredknown construction and arrangement and need not be described in detail. H

Ejector mechanism is provided for stripping and ejecting the checks or units from the'i'mpression cylinder after the processing is conipleted and for depositing them in a suitable receptacle. This mechanism, as best shown in Figs. 4., 5 and 6, embodies an ejector shaftll3 rotatably mounted in the frame and carrying one or a plurality of ejector fingers H4 preferably made of thick strong metal and having free terminal ends shaped for engagement withthe edges of the checks or units so as to impart an impulse thereto to strip them from the impress sion cylinder and .to deposit them in the receptacle I I5 mounted on the frame adjacent to the impression cylinder. These ejector fingers H4 are provided with attaching shanks engaging a flattened side of the shaft I I3 and detachably secured in position by attaching screws or simi: lar means. I a

Operating means for the unit ejector or strip per include an operating arm H6 attached to the ejector shaft 3' and having a cam roller or pin H1 at its free swinging end, positioned for engagement with the peripheral cam surface of .9- a. cam i k i ed n op at P i 90 th rotar shaf 36.. A c n ro arm s tachsd to. he. e ector s a t ".3 d a c ioh coil sprin 120 is. s sse t tend t ause t shaft 3. to. rotatein. a ounterlock se ction. as viewed .in. Figs. 5,, and 6. The cam [l8 a a h u der or stepped, portion I2 I, and a. face; [22 of gradually increasin radius leading from the inner or lower edge of the shoulder I2 1. The radius of the surface [22 gradually increases substantially. to the point I33. and. the sur-.

face 124 beyond this point is. substantially con centric with the shaft 36.

The operation of the improved mechanism is partially included in the above detailed descripe tion,-but is herewith briefly summarized in order to set-out the various operations in coordinated sequence. The strip I is threaded into the feed mechanism and over the gripper bed 54 and beneath the gripper jaws 55. The machine may be-op eratedslowly-for short distances by hand through-thehand Wheel 1225 attached to the main drive shaft 32 Thus the'machi-ne may be operated by hand to; raise the gripperbars slightly" from the bed, as shown in Fig. 4, whereup f the stripcan be threaded beneath'the bars with-the forward edge or unit thereof between the feed roll 15 and pressurerollsl-B of the-'auxiliary'feed mechanism, The driving motor can then be star d.

Due t h te by tep a t n of t P n fee ec ani b ve des ribe s i 5 is f di o ardly intermittently a distance equal to the length of a check orunit 'I5a'at each step or feedingimpulse. During the interval offeeding movement the grippers 55 are raised from the bed 54 to permit passflg'ecf the strip and also the separator blade56 is raised, as shown in Figs. 4, s and '1. At the end of each feeding impulse or at the halt -in feeding, one of the'weakened severance lines l8 of the strip will be aligned in position directly above the centrally disposed recessin the gripping bed 5 2. The pin feed mecha-' aisle. as descr b is de s d to feed t e strip in enact graduated lengths to bring each succesi c. akened e b t n ally in m di a ove the snt a reces Slight r at on in th feedi -z mo ment wil h vi f tsr rs w h the effective separation along the weakened lines, because-the breaker blade will operateeffectiv ely to break the strip along the lines even though the edge of the blade engages the strip slightly in advance or slightly to the rearward of the lines as Well as directly at the lines. As soon as the strip feed halts the gripper bars 55 are caused to descend by their operating cams 63 and the actuating springs 14 to grip the strip both for- Wardly and rearwardly of the severance lines and forwardly and rearwardly of the space in the bed. Further descent of the breaker blade 56 severs the strip along the weakened line.

During the period of breaking the strip, just described, the forward edge portion of the unit I5a is disposed between the continuously operating tractor feed roll 15 and the pressure rolls or trucks '18. But the feeding effort of these rolls is ineffective to feed the unit because held by the grippers 55, and it is of insufficient force to tear or mar the strip or to have any other unfavorable effect. The surface of the feed roll 15 merely slides on the strip surface and the trucks 18 remain idle. But just as soon as the grip of the bars 55 is released by actuation of the operating mechanism including the cam 63, arms 6.1 and terminal blocks 68 engaging the heads or'cQ lal's 59. of the sleeve rods 51, the feed roll 15.31 6. pressure rolls 18 immediately become effective to advance the severed unit as indicated in Fig. 6. The release of the grippers 55 is effected synchronously or in timed sequence with operation of the feeding'mechanism and with operation of the grippers'so of the impression cylinder. The tractive chart of these auxiliary feed rolls can be adjusted by means of the spring 3.3 to provide the best tension to accomplish the de re r s l By the feeding action of the auxiliary feeding mechanism the check or unit I50, is advanced to introduce its forward edge into position on the bed 89 of the impression cylinder 86 so as to be gripped by the gripper jaws 9E1 of said cylinder. Just as soon as the unit is thus introduced the gripper jaws 96 are caused to close, because at thisfmoment the cam roll 96 passes beyond the cam lobe Iiiil and the jaws are closed by action of the tension spring iili. It will be noticed that the forward edge of each unit is positioned by action of the auxiliary feeding mechanism substantially even with the forward edge of the bed 89 of the impression cylinder and flush with the adjacent Wail of the recess 9a of the cylinder. During this introduction of the unit the gripper jaws 90 and the gripping extensions iii thereof are in their retracted positions as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the umt edge can be introduced into its final position in which it is gripped Without any obstruction by the gripping jaws or the gripping extensions. This position of the operative elements permits the rate of unit advancement by the auxiliary feed mechanism to be substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the impression cylinder and of the grippers this is an advantageous operating condition. It will, of course, be understood that the impression cylinder rotates continuously and that the introduction of the units into position upon this cylinder and the gripping thereof insuch position is effected during cylinder rotation. The release of each severed unit by the breaker grippers 55 is effected in timed sequence with rota-' tion of the impression cylinder and with operation of the grippers 96 thereof, so that the forward edge of each unit, as soon as introduced into position on the cylinder is immediately gripped and held by the actuation of the grippers 96, as shown in Fig. 6. The continued feed of the unit is then effected by the rotation of the impression cylinder 88 on which it is held by the grippers 9i]. Continued rotation of the impression cylinder carries the check [5a past the rotary printing units Hi5, iii- 3 so as to impress the signature, date, numbers, etc., thereon.

When the printed matter has been applied the completed check or unit is carried substantially to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. At this point the cam roller engages the releasing cam lobe [B2 to release the grip of the gripping jaws 95 upon the unit i5a. Substantially at this moment the cam roller Ill of the ejector mechanism passes over the abrupt shoulder lZi of the cam IIB whereupon the ejector fingers H4 are given a quick ejecting action by operation of the ejector spring I20. At the instant of initiation of this ejecting action the free terminals of the ejector fingers i M are positioned so as to engage the forward edge of the unit adjacent to the recess 94 of the cylinder as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 6. Due to this quick action the completed unit is stripped from the impression cylinder and ejected into the receptacle Haas appears in Fig. 4. Following this ejection the ejector fingers H4 are gradually returned to their normal position by the cam surface I22 for engagement with the forward edge of the next succeeding unit adjacent to the gripper jaws 90, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. It is held in this operative position by the concentric surface 124 until the cam shoulder 'l2'l comes again into operative position, "Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the'invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it'is intended that all matter contained in the above description'or show'n'in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted'a's illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

""Having' described my invention, what' I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a machine of the character described, in combination; a continuously rotating impression cylinder for carrying separate units or slips'to be printed, a unit gripper for said units mounted on said cylinder so as to move continuously there'- with "and being movable thereon into unit gripping and releasing positions, intermittent unit delivery means for delivering said separate units to said cylinder and to said unit gripper thereof said delivery means including an intermittent unit holding device and a continuously operat-' ing friction "feeding device spaced between said unit holding device and said unitgripper when the latter is in position for receiving a unit, said friction feeding device yielding'ly 'engagin'g's'aid separate units so as to continuously urge them' forwardly and to; feed them forwardly toward said unit gripper when they are released'by said;

unit holdingdevice but to slide idly thereon when they are held by said holding device, said friction feeding device 'being' positioned and arranged with referenceto"said'unit gripper ons'aid impression cylinderto feed the separate units forwardly into engagement with the gripper during its said continuous movement with 'said'cylinder,

means for intermittently releasing said unit holding device to release the'units' one at a time; and means for intermittently setting said unit gripper in unit gripping position on said impression cylinder in timed relation with release of said" holding device and during the time that same each separate unit is being-fed forwardly by said" friction feeding device into position to be gripped by said unit gripper, in which position each separate unit is gripped by the gripper and held on. thecylinder for receiving the impressionl 2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a continuously rotating impression cylinder for carrying separate units or slips to be printed, a unit gripper for said units mounted on said'cylinder so as to move continuously therewith and being movable thereon. into unit gripping and releasing positions, intermittent unit delivery means for delivering said separate unitsto said cylinder and to said unit gripper thereof, said delivery means including an intermittent unit holding device and a; continuously operat-- ing friction feeding devicespaced between said unit holding device and said unit gripper whenthe latter is in position for receiving a unit, said friction feeding device includng a continuously:

justable means continuously yieldingly urging.

said movable shaft toward said feed roll and causing said pressure rolls to engage said separate units and to press them against saidfeedroll so as to continuously urge them forwardly and to feed them forwardly toward said unit gripper when they are released by. said unit holdingde-. vice but to slide idly thereon when they are held by said holding device, saidfriction'feeding de vice being positioned and arranged with reference to said unit gripper on said impression cylinder Eto feed the separate units forwardly into engagement with the gripper during its said continuous movement with said cylinder, means for intermittently releasing said unit holding device to release the units one at a time, and means for intermittently setting said unit gripper in unit gripping position on said impression cylinder in timed relation with release of said-unit holding device and during the time that each separate unit is being fed forwardly by said friction feeding device into position to be gripped by said unit gripper, in which position each separate unit is gripped by the gripper and held on the cylinder for receiving the impression.

HARRY E. SEELE'Y. 

